Psalm 23

Psalm 23New King James Version (NKJV)

The Lord the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lordismy shepherd;I shall not [a]want.2 He makes me to lie down in [b]green pastures;He leads me beside the [c]still waters.3 He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousnessFor His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil;For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil;My cup runs over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meAll the days of my life;And I will [d]dwell in the house of the Lord[e]Forever.

Psalm 23The Passion Translation (TPT)

The Good Shepherd

23 David’s poetic praise to God[a]1 The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd.[b]I always have more than enough.2 He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.[c]His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.3 That’s where he restores and revives my life.[d]He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasureand leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness[e]so that I can bring honor to his name.4 Lord, even when your path takes me throughthe valley of deepest darkness,fear will never conquer me, for you already have!You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way.Your authority is my strength and my peace.[f]The comfort of your love takes away my fear.I’ll never be lonely, for you are near.5 You become my delicious feasteven when my enemies dare to fight.You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit;[g]you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows.6 So why would I fear the future?For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life.Then afterward, when my life is through,I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!

Footnotes:

Psalm 23:1Most scholars conclude that Ps. 23 was written by David when he was a young shepherd serving his father, Jesse, while he was keeping watch over sheep near Bethlehem. He was most likely sixteen or seventeen years old. The other psalm that he wrote when but a young lad was Ps. 19. Those are two good psalms to memorize and meditate upon if you want to have the heart of the giant killer.

Psalm 23:1The word most commonly used for “shepherd” is ra‘ah, which is also the Hebrew word for “best friend.” The translation includes both meanings.

Psalm 23:2The Greek word for “love” is agape, which is a merging of two words and two concepts. Ago means “to lead like a shepherd,” and pao is a verb that means “to rest.” Love is our Shepherd leading us to the place of true rest in his heart.

Psalm 23:3Or “He causes my life [or soul, Heb. nephesh] to return.” So often life drains out of us through our many activities, but David found that God restores our well-being by pursuing what pleases God and resting in him.

Psalm 23:3Or “circular paths of righteousness.” It is a common trait for sheep on the hillsides of Israel to circle their way up higher. They eventually form a path that keeps leading them higher. This is what David is referring to here. Each step we take following our Shepherd will lead us higher, even though it may seem we are going in circles.

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